St. Luke Baptist Church Pastoral Staff

The ministers of SLBC serve with our Senior Pastor in their designated/assigned areas of ministry and also provide leadership to our congregation through assigned preaching, teaching and other pastoral functions as directed by our pastor.

Sonya McMillan presently serves as the Minister of Discipleship of St. Luke Baptist Church.

She is the youngest of fifteen children born to the late Leroy and Janie McMillan. A native of North Carolina, she relocated with her family to Paterson, New Jersey at a young age. She is a product of the Paterson Public Schools. Sonya is a 1988 graduate of Rutgers-Douglas College from which she earned her Bachelor’s degree. She has been employed in the private and public sectors; as an educator in the Paterson Public School System, an associate for Lakeridge Marketing and the Paterson Housing Police Department. She is currently employed with the Paterson Municipal Police Department. Sonya accepted Christ as her personal Savior in 1990 and united with the Seminary Baptist Church of Paterson, NJ under the leadership of the Rev. Alfred E. Steele. In 2002 she acknowledged her call to the preaching ministry and was subsequently licensed to preach. She is a graduate of New York Theological Seminary where she earned the Certificate in Christian Ministry (2005) and the Master of Divinity degree (2009). She has served the St. Luke Church first as a ministerial intern in 2008 and returned in 2009. She has served in her present capacity overseeing the teaching ministry of St. Luke Church. She also serves as a liaison to the Shiloh Baptist Association of NJ’s Congress of Christian Education. Min. Sonya is the proud mother of Morgan McMillan.

"Before I formed you in the womb I chose you, before you were born I set you apart; I anointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5

This passage of scripture is certainly a testament to the live of Rev. Aisha Taylor. Before birth, God anointed her purpose and destiny. As a little girl, Aisha could be seen ushering saints into worship service or singing duets with her sister in the choir. As she grew into adulthood, the Lord revealed that he required more, and called her into ministry at the age of 16. It wasn't until she was 20 years of age, and a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, that Aisha submitted to the higher calling that God had placed on her life.Aisha was formally licensed to the Gospel Ministry on March 20, 2005 at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY by Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Boyd, Pastor Emeritus and ordained on January 22, 2012 under the nurturing leadership of Rev. James A. Thornton, Senior Pastor. There, she faithfully led S.Y.L.C. (Salem Youth Living for Christ) and G.I.F.T. (Growing in Faith Together), Salem's Young Adult Ministry. During her tenure, these ministries sought to connect with young people, both in the church and in the community, and as a result experienced growth spiritually and numerically. In 2008-2009, Rev. Taylor served as an Intern Minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Anthony L. Trufant. She was awarded the Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary. Aisha is also a certified Youth Chaplain with the National Association of Youth Chaplains.Minister Taylor has worked professionally as a Paralegal with the New York County District Attorney's office and as an Investigator and Trainer with the NYC Department of Investigation. Presently, she works as Executive Director of Child Care Field Operations for the Early Care & Education Division of NYC's Administration for Children's Services. Aisha is an effective trainer in the areas of Public Speaking & Presentations, Effective Office Management, Leadership Skills & Development, and Dealing with Difficult People. She earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Marist College.Aisha is also co-owner of TAYLORmade ~ Professional Career Consulting, a business-turned-ministry that equips, empowers, and prepares God's people for successful careers. She shares her insights as a regular Career Blogger on BlackEnterprise.com and other media outlets. Aisha has served on the Executive Board for the New York Urban League Young Professionals. She is an Adjunct Professor of Urban Studies at Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus, and Public Administration at Metropolitan College of New York. Aisha Taylor has become a highly sought keynote speaker, panelist, and workshop facilitator and has been invited by many organizations to share her expertise. These organizations include The National Council of Negro Women, The National Urban League, The New York Urban League, The Homebound Leadership Institute, The National Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and The City University of New York. Aisha was awarded the Bethune-Cookman Excellence in Service Award by the Midwood & Vicinity section of the National Council of Negro Women. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Rev. Taylor is certain not to pride herself in her academic, professional, or entrepreneurial accomplishments. She realizes that earthly accolades have no eternal value. However, her aim daily is to walk worthy of the calling that God has placed on her life, to be open and obedient to the will of God, and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the land...by any means necessary.

Aisha Taylor presently serves as the Minister of Children, Youth and Young Adults at St. Luke Baptist Church.